“You have to be careful about using the word disappointing when your program has won less than they have,” Davenport said. “You call them down, but I’d love to be where they are right now. Sometimes the rich complain about not being as rich as they’d like.”

If SSU can beat South Carolina State today at 1:30 p.m. at Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium in Orangeburg, S.C., the Tigers will reach the four-win plateau. Unfortunately, it would have taken three seasons to get there.

A victory for Savannah State (1-9, 0-7 MEAC) would show progress. South Carolina State has won three league titles and finished second twice during the last five seasons.

But the inconsistent Bulldogs (4-6, 3-4 MEAC) won’t be among the top two in the conference this season.

South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough called the year, “below par” and “not up to standards.”

“We have to be a different kind of outfit if we’re going to proceed from here in a positive manner,” Pough said.

The Bulldogs have had some good moments, blowing out Georgia State 33-6 in the season opener and beating Howard and Florida A&M — two teams above .500 in league play.

Against Howard, junior quarterback Richard Cue threw for a school-record 419 yards and four touchdowns.

But the up-and-down nature of SCSU’s football team surfaced a week later. Cue and the passing attack mustered just 79 yards in a 17-7 loss to North Carolina A&T.

The Bulldogs end their season against a Savannah State squad that played them tough in a 20-10 game last season in Savannah.

“Savannah State is improving,” Pough said. “Each week you can see them getting better.”

The Tigers’ lone win came against NAIA Edward Waters, but Davenport has been optimistic.

Cornerbacks John Wilson and Javon Moore have played well down the stretch. Wide receiver Simon Heyward, who starred at Beach High School, might be an all-conference candidate after producing a team-high 39 catches for 690 yards and six touchdowns.

“We’ve made progress,” Davenport said. “It’s difficult to see that in terms of the scores. … Obviously, there are some pieces to the puzzle that still need to be filled. That’s my responsibility to collect those pieces. That’s what recruiting is all about.”